TFSRITA Chapter 18

Ji Yecheng had complete control over the harem. He was aware of the situation with the two concubines and knew everything about it. However, no one else knew, so he had come to observe Yan Qing’s reaction. But upon arrival, he was thrown off by her actions and completely forgot his original purpose.

Ji Yecheng’s lips curved into a slight smile as he lounged in the palanquin.

Twelve eunuchs carried him with great stability.

But suddenly, they came to a halt.

Ji Yecheng slightly raised his eyelids, and Jiang Wende pulled back the curtain to reveal a girl kneeling in the middle of the road, with several palace attendants behind her—clearly concubines from the palace.

“Your servant Liu Shi pays respects to Your Majesty,” the woman said with a charming smile, lifting her head to reveal her delicate features.

Jiang Wende cautiously glanced at the emperor’s reaction and saw him closing his eyes in disinterest. He immediately shouted, “Bold! How dare you block His Majesty’s way. Drag her away!”

“Your Majesty, I didn’t—” Liu Shi’s face changed drastically. This was not what she had expected, and she panicked, trying to explain, but she was already being dragged away. Jiang Wende’s subordinates moved swiftly, covering her mouth and dragging her out efficiently.

However, the few words she managed to say were filled with sharpness and panic. Since they were close, Ji Yecheng heard every word. His good mood from leaving Lingyun Palace vanished, replaced by the anger from being struck in the nose by Yan Qing. He coldly ordered, “Thirty lashes!”

“Yes!” Jiang Wende, familiar with the procedure, responded immediately and went to carry out the order.

The woman, upon hearing the command, stared in disbelief and shook her head desperately, trying to escape.

It couldn’t be! His Majesty couldn’t be this ruthless!

Seemingly understanding the woman’s unspoken thoughts, Jiang Wende kindly reminded her, “Stop struggling, or you’ll anger His Majesty further and be given white silk!”

The woman’s body went rigid, her expression one of terror as she stopped moving.

Jiang Wende shook his head. Not everyone was like the Empress, who could provoke the emperor without severe consequences. Several attempts to act against her had been met with leniency.

He waddled over and resumed his place beside the emperor’s palanquin, carefully observing every move of the nation’s highest authority.

Thirty lashes were a severe punishment. For a woman, surviving such a punishment was a testament to her luck, especially when she was so terrified.

She had thought that encountering the emperor’s palanquin, after being in the palace for some time without seeing him, might give her an opportunity. However, this misstep nearly cost her life.

That evening, news of the woman receiving thirty lashes spread throughout the harem, causing widespread fear.

The next day, the palace sent for a doctor.

By the third day, Liu Shi had passed away.

This caused a stir throughout the palace. No one dared to block the emperor’s path again, and those who did see him kept their distance as much as possible.

That night, after her arm was treated by the doctor, Yan Qing developed a high fever.

The original owner’s body was still too weak. After all the commotion, she couldn’t withstand it and lay in bed in a daze, losing track of time. She was ill for several days.

Her arms also swelled up, making it impossible for her to take care of herself. She needed help even to eat.

Even though Ji Yecheng, that dog emperor, sent more golden ointment, it took two more days for the swelling to go down.

Yan Qing felt her arms might have become fragile, and she might habitually dislocate them in the future. Just thinking about it was heartbreaking, and thankfully, her life wouldn’t be long.

“Your Majesty.” Hong Tao, now promoted to a first-rank maid, temporarily took over from Ziyun to handle her needs.

Zhu Yin, who had been promoted to teacher, no longer had to do anything but ensure her safety and oversee her martial training.

Hong Tao brought in the medicine, saying ingratiatingly, “Your Majesty, this medicine is taken from His Majesty’s private store. Even the doctor is envious. The medicine is specially prepared by the doctor, and His Majesty said if it doesn’t work, the doctor will be punished.”

Yan Qing, eyes closed, recoiled from the bitter smell of the medicine, showing her disgust. She ignored Hong Tao’s words entirely.

If Ji Yecheng truly cared for her, she wouldn’t be sick.

Seeing her unresponsive, Hong Tao was puzzled and added, “Your Majesty, His Majesty has been very kind to you. No one else in the palace receives such treatment. Please don’t be stubborn.”

It was strange. Others would beg for such favor, but this favored concubine repeatedly pushed it away, seeking death. Ji Yecheng’s nature was such that not killing her was already a sign of his exceptional kindness.

For Hong Tao, the favor of a high-ranking individual was enough to satisfy her. Even more so for the other concubines. But Yan Qing, how could she not be stubborn?

What she wanted was never the emperor’s pity.

Hong Tao was about to say more, but Yan Qing, already impatient, said in a hoarse voice, “If you say another word, you’ll be demoted to a second-rank maid.”

Her voice, though raspy, carried a force that was imposing.

Hong Tao immediately fell silent, her dissatisfaction almost palpable.

But Yan Qing paid no mind; she didn’t need to.

Nearby, Zhu Yin kept a close watch, strictly managing Yan Qing’s diet and ensuring her safety.

In the early morning, before the sun had risen and the fog had yet to clear, the imperial city had a hazy beauty.

However, waking up at this time was anything but pleasant.

Having finally recovered from her illness, Yan Qing was trying to enjoy a rare lie-in when there was noise. Hong Tao was calling earnestly, “Your Majesty, it’s time to wake up.”

During her illness, perhaps knowing she was a bother, Ji Yecheng had not come once. Yan Qing’s mood had improved, and she knew she couldn’t just die like this, so she cooperated with the treatment and quickly regained her strength.

Yan Qing groaned under the covers, turning her body over.